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The best seat for your newborn to use. It has a harness and, in a crash, cradles and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child's fragile neck and spinal cord.

<p>Designed for newborns and small babies, the infant-only car seat is a small portable seat that can only be used rear-facing. Babies usually outgrow their infant car seats by eight or nine months. When that happens, we recommend that parents purchase a convertible or all-in-one car seat and use it rear-facing.</p>

As a child grows, this seat transitions from a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether into a booster.

<p>Combination seats are appropriate for children who have outgrown the rear-facing car seat position and are ready for a forward-facing seat or a booster seat. When the child reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer in the forward-facing mode, it’s time to transition the car seat to booster seat mode. This transition from forward-facing to booster seat mode generally occurs between four and seven years old. Booster seats ensure that the vehicle’s seat belts are positioned for the best protection in a crash and should be used until the child fits properly in a <a href="/risky-driving/seat-belts">seat belt</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

As a child grows, this seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether.

<p>Convertible car seats can be used with children of various sizes, allowing children to stay in the rear-facing position longer. When a child is over one year old and reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer for the rearfacing position, convert the seat and use in the forward-facing mode until the child is ready for a booster seat This transition from forward-facing to booster seat generally occurs between four and seven years old. Check the car seat manufacturer's weight and height limitations.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

A booster seat positions the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger parts of the child’s body. There are two types of booster seats.

<p><strong>Booster seat with high back&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>This type is designed to boost the child’s height so the seat belt fits properly. It also provides neck and head support and is ideal for vehicles that don’t have head rests or high seat backs. NHTSA recommends keeing your child in a booster seat with a high back as long as possible.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Backless booster seat&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>This type is designed to boost the child’s height so the seat belt fits properly. It does not provide head and neck support. It is ideal for vehicles that have head rests.</p>

This seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat (with a harness and tether) and then to a booster seat as a child grows.

<p>Like convertible car seats, all-in one seats can be used with children of various sizes, allowing children to stay in the rear-facing position longer. When a child is at least over one year old and reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer for the rear-facing position, convert the seat and use in the forward-facing mode until the child is ready for the booster seat mode. This transition from forward-facing to booster seat mode generally occurs between four and seven years old. Booster seats ensure that the vehicle’s seat belts are positioned for the best protection in a crash and should be used until the child fits properly in a seat belt.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>